MaoriTelevision’s big weekend of Rugby World Cup 2011 action

7 September 2011

Maori Television’s big weekend of Rugby World Cup 2011 action

The only place to catch all the big games for free this weekend

This Friday, Rugby World Cup 2011 finally kicks off with the All Blacks v Tonga Live – but the action doesn’t stop there with Maori Television. The network is the only place for New Zealanders to catch the entire tournament on TV for free, with 16 of the biggest games live including all All Blacks games.

Besides the opening game, called by Te Arahi Maipi, Scottish superstar Gavin Hastings and former Tongan captain Inoke Afeaki, Maori Television also has full coverage of this weekend’s six pool matches, with Argentina v England and South Africa v Wales live.

The Argentina v England game on Saturday is being called by Maipi, Hastings and former All Black Kees Meeuws. South Africa v Wales on Sunday is being called by Maipi, Hastings and Keith Quinn.

Maori Television’s Rugby World Cup 2011 anchor Te Arahi Maipi says he thinks the network will come in to its own as the lead free-to-air broadcaster this weekend.

“We think this weekend will see a lot of Kiwis switching on and joining us for Rugby World Cup 2011 action – after all, we’re the only free-to-air network that has all 48 games.

“And in addition to all the matches, we’ve also got a whole lot of great stuff lined up to keep our audience entertained before and after the game.”

Bookending each of the 16 live games on Maori Television is a live studio show hosted by former All Black and Hyundai CODE star Glen Osborne. The pre- and post-game shows feature a range of star guests including members of the 27-strong Maori Television commentary team, such as former All Black captain Wayne ‘Buck’ Shelford, veteran broadcaster Keith Quinn and many more.

Quinn is also co-hosting the Rugby World Cup 2011 opening and closing ceremonies on Maori Television with Osborne.

The show also calls on the likes of well-known actor Rawene Paratene (Whale Rider) to add colour and entertainment in the way only Maori Television can by filming stories with fans and capturing the sense of festival and cultural difference around the tournament.

Comedian Oscar Kightley (bro’Town, Naked Samoans) is also contributing, for example taking a hard-core South African fan for a tour around Otara Market before the South Africa v Samoa clash on 30 September.

“Our pre- and post-match shows are the only place to be – unless you’re actually at the game!” says Osborne.

Maori Television is available on Freeview channel 5 and Sky TV channel 19. It’s also available through the old analogue network with a UHF aerial. If viewers receive Prime TV by aerial, they should be able to tune in to Maori Television. For further assistance, call the tune-in helpline 0800 MA TATOU (0800 62 82 868).

Te Reo is on Freeview channel 24 (a Freeview satellite digital receiver plus a satellite dish are required) and on Sky TV channel 59.

About Maori Television and Rugby World Cup 2011
Maori Television is the only free-to-air channel covering all 48 games and is putting forward New Zealand’s largest commentary team across the Maori Television (English broadcast) and Te Reo (te reo Maori broadcast) channels. The 27-strong expert team includes three former Rugby World Cup team captains and a combined total of more than 200 international test caps. The network has also compiled a unique programming schedule for the duration of Rugby World Cup 2011 with rugby at its heart – full programming details are available at www.maoritelevision.com.

Maori Television Rugby World Cup 2011 commentary team
Maori Television: Te Arahi Maipi, Glen Osborne, Wayne ‘Buck’ Shelford, Keith Quinn, Gavin Hastings OBE, Peter FitzSimons, Mark Ella, Kees Meeuws, Pat Lam, Norm Hewitt, Tony Marsh, Karl Te Nana, Inoke Afeaki
Te Reo channel: Hemana Waaka, Julian Wilcox, Wairangi Koopu, Te Whetu McCorkindale, Tumamao Harawira, Te Kauhoe Wano, Bailey Mackey, Hohepa Mclean, Peeni Henare, Te Ori Paki, Brian Morris, Tame Te Rangi, Kotuku Tibble, Tamati Waaka

For more information on Rugby World Cup 2011, see www.maoritelevision.com

ENDS

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